Lyon Honored for Leadership With Inaugural AwardFebruary 14, 2014

The University was saddened to hear of the death of longtime faculty member Thomas L. Lyon, Ph.D., on Feb. 24.

On Feb. 13, Rockhurst University honored a pillar of the campus community, presenting the inaugural Fr. Nick Rashford, S.J., Award for Leadership and Ethics to longtime faculty member and campus leader Thomas L. Lyon, Ph.D.

The annual award will be presented to those who exemplify high ethical standards of business conduct, and demonstrate excellence in leadership through their initiative, inspiration to others and impact on their community.

Lyon was chosen as the award’s first recipient because of his impact on countless Rockhurst students and his steadfast commitment to ethics and leadership.

“Tom inspires those around him through his true concern for each student and his impactful teaching style,” said Cheryl McConnell, dean of the Helzberg School of Management. “He has left his mark on Rockhurst in many ways, specifically through his strong ethical leadership as past interim dean of the Helzberg School, director of the MBA program and co-founder of the Executive Fellows MBA program.”

Lyon, professor emeritus of finance, joined the Rockhurst faculty in 1975, and has also served as chair and division chair of the School of Management.

The Fr. Nick Rashford, S.J., Award is named after the president emeritus and university professor of management at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, who was also a driving force behind the creation and success of Rockhurst’s MBA and Executive Fellows MBA programs. Rashford served as the inaugural dean of Rockhurst’s School of Management, established in 1983.

“Fr. Rashford is the perfect namesake for this award,” said McConnell. “Our goal at the Helzberg School is to prepare leaders to make a positive difference in the world. Fr. Rashford has done just this. He is a shining example of dedication to ethical leadership, and an inspiration to many, especially the students whose lives he has helped shape.”

Lyon earned a B.A. in economics from Rockhurst College and a doctoral degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He and his wife, Teresa, live in Leawood, Kan. They have two children and three grandchildren.